Multiple switch assembly



P 12, 1967 R. J. BROCKMAN ETAL 3,341,801

MULTIPLE SWITCH ASSEMBLY 5 Sheeis-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 24, 1965 INVENTOR.RONALD JoHN BRQOKMAH LINC'S -f CARLTON FR\E!ND P LE BRlcE MUMMEY CLETOSTALVIN DMITH I 5 r 9 2 i I p 12, 1967 R. J. BROOKMAN ETAL 3,341,801

MUIQTIPLE SWITCH ASSEMBLY 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 24, 1965 INVENTOR.

OH H cLe'Tus TALVIN arm-n4 BY M,M+47%1 Sept. 12, 1967 Filed Aug. 24,1965 R. .1; BROOKMAN ETAL MULTIPLE SWITCH ASSEMBLY 5 sheet-sheet VINVENTOR.

DALE B NALD JOHN BKKM DEA CARL-FUN FT! CF MUMMEY CLETUs y) SHIT Sept.12, 19 67 RQJ. BROOKMAN ETAL MULTIPLE SWITCH ASSEMBLY 5 Sheets-Sheet 4Filed Aug. 24, 1965 INVENTOR.

RON

LIN

:DALE 311m; Mun BY CLETUS TALVIN 5M United States Patent 3,341,801MULTIPLE SWITCH ASSEMBLY Ronald John Brookman, Lancaster, LindsayCarlton Friend, Camp Hill, Dale Brice Mummey, Enola, and Cletus TalvinSmith, I-Iighspire, Pa., assignors to AMP Incorporated, Harrisburg, Pa.

Filed Aug. 24, 1965, Ser. No. 482,135 13 Claims. (Cl. 339-18) Thisinvention relates to a multiple switch of the type adapted toaccommodate large numbers of electrical paths for simultaneousmake-break operation with a capability of switch path change forprogramming purposes. The invention is embodied in a switch assemblywhich provides a shielded path to, through and from the contacts andleads of the assembly.

The increasing problem of radio frequency interference (RFI) and thetrend to lower signal currents has caused a problem with respect toexisting switch devices which are not shielded. This problem manifestsitself by RFI effectively modulating the signals carried by theswitching device to change the intelligence content carried thereby withthe result that equipment served thereby receives an erroneous command.In certain applications wherein the signals being handled by theassembly are in the radio frequency range there is a problem ofcross-talk caused by densely concentrated switch paths. In still otherapplications wherein the frequency is in the higher radio range therecomes a problem with loss due to the lack of a coaxial transmissionpath. A problem with existing non-coaxial multiple switch devices andwith known existing coaxial devices relates to a closure of the contactportions of the assembly in instances wherein there is no intended pathor inserted contactor for such path. Other shortcomings affectingpresent coaxial assemblies including a complexity of carriage, cammingand locking mechanism, which is related to overall reliability andfunction of the assembly.

The present invention purports to solve the foregoing shortcomings ofprior art devices and has as one object the provision of a shieldedmultiple switch assembly wherein the assembly contacts are shieldedthroughout the signal path to, through and from the assembly. It isanother object of the invention to provide a high density coaxialplugboard device capable of operation with low crosstalk between signalpaths and substantial shielding from RFI. It is still another object toprovide a simple and inexpensive multiple switch carriage and lockingdevice for use in coaxial and non-coaxial plugboard type units. It is afurther object to provide a contact structure for shielded signal pathswhich facilitates insertion and removal of plug type contactors in anarrangement providing a wiping between the contact surfaces for innerand outer conductors of coaxial cable. It is still a further object toprovide a contact structure for multiple switching devices wherein thereis no contact between paths in the event a contactor plug is notutilized for a given contact position in such assembly.

The foregoing problems are overcome and the foregoing objectives areattained in the present invention through an assembly which features areceiver and front board each apertured to retain and hold in matrixarray a conductive contact structure adapted to receive in the outboardend a contactor plug and to retain such plug against accidentaldisplacement. The forward ends of each contactor structure of thereceiver and front board are so shaped as to provide a fully shieldedpath for signals carried by the assembly. There is a feature to hold thereceiver and board contactor shielding out of actual contact except whena plug is utilized in both the receiver and front board. The assembly ofthe invention features a carriage having positioning and lockingmechanism on each side thereof independently operable with respect to acarnming mechanism which effects final closure and opening of thecontactors of the assembly. The carriage is arranged to assure correctalignment in the front board with respect to the receiver and to causethe front board to be guided into engagement within the receiver withoutdamaging the contacts and without closure until operation of the cammingmechanism.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective showing the invention assembly fully open withthe front board thereof removed and backed away from the receiverthereof;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective of the assembly of the invention in the fullyclosed position with the front board within the receiver and cammedupwardly to effect contact closure;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective of parts of the camming mechanism of theassembly of the invention shown in a position responsible for fullclosure of the contact paths of the assembly;

FIGURE 4 is an elevation in partial section of the right-hand side ofthe carriage mechanism of the invention shown in the open position witha front board positioned therein;

FIGURE 5 is a view of the parts of FIGURE 4 shown in a closed positionwith a front board fitted within the receiver;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective with parts sectioned to show the contactorreceptacle and plug of the front board and receiver portion of theinvention assembly;

FIGURE 7 is a longitudinal view of the contactors, receptacles and plugsof the front board and rear end receiver in the position resulting fromclosure of the front board within the receiver but prior to verticalcamming movement of the parts;

FIGURE 8 is a view of the parts of FIGURE 7 in closure; and

FIGURE 9 is a view similar to that of FIGURE 8 with the plug contactorof the front board removed.

Briefly describing the invention assembly in terms of major parts andfunction, FIGURE 1 shows the assembly as 10, including a front board 12,backed away from front position relative to installation in a receiver30. The front board contains a number of coaxial contactors 80400patched therein which effectively extend a coaxial and shielded pathincluding a center conductor and outer conductor to contactors 130 ofthe receiver. These contactors in turn connect to coaxial cable going toand coming from electronic equipment served by the assembly. Upon thefront board being fitted within the receiver and closure being effectedthere is completed a shielded co axial electrical path from theequipment served to the rear bay and the contactor structure thereinthrough the contactor structure of the front board, its coaxial lead andreturn through a similar structure and path.

The front board 12 is hooked on a top crossbar 70 of the receiver 30 andis swung into position to fit down within the receiver as shown inFIGURE 2. Thereafter operation of the receiver handle 70 effects anupward driving movement of the front board 12 for the closure as abovedescribed. Downward movement of the handle 70 breaks the circuits of thevarious coaxial paths. The carriage mechanism 68-72 of the receiver isso arranged as to be independent of the camming mechanism operated bythe handle and includes features to guide the front board in a manner toavoid contact structure damage to lock the front board within thereceiver once the camming motion has been started and to prevent itsremoval until proper operation of the receiver handle 70.

The invention assembly is thus described in an embodiment representativeof a shielded plugboard which may be utilized for programming, ofiiceequipment, navigational devices, computers and the like, or merely as amultiple switch to simultaneously connect and disconnect a large numberof communication paths.

Turning now to a more detailed description of the invention andreferring to FIGURES l and 2, the front board 12 is a rigid structurecomprised of an insulating panel 14 having disposed across its majorsurface area a matrix of apertures 16 each carrying a contactor latchingand shielding structure 100 each adapted to carry a coaxial contactorplug 80. The coaxial cables 82 connecting the plugs are disposed asindicated in FIGURES 1 and 2 on the forward face of the panel 14 and thecontacting shielding portion of the structures protrudes through to theopposite sides and cannot be seen in FIGURES 1 and 2. A detaileddescription of the contactor structures will be given hereinafter.

A pair of handles 18 and 19 are provided to facilitate transport of thefront board. These handles are secured to an outer metallic framecomprised of upper and lower channels 20 and 21 and side channels 22 and23. These channels are secured together as by screw, rivet or the likeand are rigidly secured to the panels 14 in a suitable fashion as bybonding with epoxy cement. The channel 20 contains in the center facingthe receiver a recess 27 adapted to cooperate with a complementarysurface in the receiver. The bottom channel 21 contains tworecess-projection surfaces spaced apart to cooperate with complementarysurfaces in the receiver. These propections operate to center the frontboard within the receiver upon closure.

The side channel members such as 22 project above the upper channels 20as at 22a and contain a hook 22b having an inner surface large enough topermit the board to be hooked over a crossbar 70 of the receiver 30. Inthis manner the front board is installed in the receiver with the hookssuch as 22b being guided onto the receiver crossbar and the boardthereafter hanging upon such bar in a vertical attitude. Projecting fromthe side of either channel is a pin member such as 24, shown projectingfrom channel 23, which operates when the board is first placed in thereceiver to limit the inward travel by engagement with side members ofthe receiver carriage and thereafter to operate the carriage to lock theboard in position.

The receiver 30 is comprised of an inwardly disposed panel member 32having across its face a matrix of apertures 34 each adapted toaccommodate a contactor shielding and latching structure 130 housing acontactor lead 110. The apertures and contactor structures of thereceiver are positioned in relative alignment for engagement withcorresponding shielding contactor structures of the front board whensuch is positioned in the receiver and closure is effected.

Surrounding panel 32 of the receiver is a metallic frame shown generallyto be comprised of upper and lower channels 36 and 37 and side channels38 and 39. These channels are rigidly secured together and rigidlysecured to the .4 panel 32. The interior of the receiver is dimensionedso as to receive and accommodate the body of the front board 12. Locatedinteriorly of the bottom channel are the complementary guide blocks 33,which have therein guide slots such as 33a, positioned to engage therecessprojections, not shown, in the forward part of the channel 21 ofthe front board. There is a similar guide block 37a positionedinteriorly of the top channel member 36 of the receiver which contains aslot 37b to engage the projection 27b set down in a recess 27a in theupper frame channel 20 of the front board. These guide blocks serve tocenter the front board into exact alignment relative to the receiver.Vertical clearance is provided for these guide surfaces so as not torestrict the front board and to permit relative vertical movement withinthe receiver.

As thus defined then, the front board and receiver are two relativelyrigid structures having outer metallic frames and an inner insulatingpanel containing contactors positioned in relative alignment to permit acontrolled closure to provide a switching operation. That part of thereceiver which initially supports and eventually drives, latches andlocks the front board within the receiver is comprised of two separatemechanisms including a camming mechanism located in the bottom of thereceiver on each side and operated by the handle 40 and a carriage whichis located in the side channels of the receiver independently of anydirect connection with the camming mechanism. FIGURE 3 shows inperspective the right-hand side of the camming mechanism and its linkageto the handle 40, which is adapted to be rotated upwardly to effectclosure of the circuits of the assembly and downwardly to open thecircuits of the assembly. The front board in FIGURE 2 is shown in theupward position of electrical closure. The front board is moved from aposition as in FIGURE 1, into the receiver and in the position shown inFIGURE 2 before any move-ment of the handle 40. This is representedalong with the resulting movement of the carriage proper in FIGURES 4and 5.

The handle 40 shown in the open and downward position in FIGURE 1includes an outward gripping portion 40a which enables the handle to begrasped and an end portion 40b having a surface 400 positioned relativeto rotary movement to engage a stop 42 anchored in the channel 38. Thehandle is mounted upon a shaft 44 penetrating an aperture 40d in thehandle material and is pinned .to the shaft 44 as indicated by numeral41. Referring now to FIGURE 3, the shaft 44 extends fully across thebottom of the receiver to contain on each side a camming mechanism likethat .shown in FIGURE 3. The camming mechanisms on each side arereversed in a sense so that the cam on the left side is outboard of itssupporting bearing block. The shaft 44 extends from the handle straightthrough into a block 46, which is rigidly secured to the receiver frameand contains a bearing to support the shaft for rotary movement. Pinnedto the shaft 44 outboard of the receiver block is a cam shown as 50,which has its surface oriented to result in a net vertical displacementas handle 40 is moved from the down position to the vertical position.Surrounding cam 50 is a structure 52 containing an eccentric 54 adaptedto be driven by the surface of 50 upon rotation. The structure 52 isconfined and held for limited vertical movement within the side channelof the receiver. In its upper portion 52 includes a slot shown as 52aopening out to the front of the receiver to admit pin 24 projecting fromthe front board side channel. When the front board is seated in thecarriage and the carriage is closed operation of 40 will drive the cam50 from the dotted position to the position of FIGURE 3 to in turn drive52a, pin 24 and the front board.

This can best be seen in FIGURES 4 and 5 which show the upper portion of52 in its disposition and movement as the carriage is closed and thecamming mechanism of the assembly is operated. In FIGURE 4, A identifiesthe initial position of the pin 24 prior to closure of the transportcarriage. In FIGURE 5, B represents the disposition of the pin 24following closure of the transport mechanism, C represents the upwardtravel of pin 24 and D represents the final disposition of the pin 24and thus the fully closed position of the front board following the camin its movement over-center. As can be discerned, the force driving thefront board upwardly is applied solely through the pins 24.

In FIGURES 4 and 5 the carriage thereshown is for the right-hand side ofthe receiver. This structure is in essence duplicated on the left-handside, as indicated in FIGURES 1 and 2, with the parts being reversedrela tive to the outer channel members. As can be seen in FIGURE 4, thetransport carriage is comprised of upper and lower plate members 68 and72, which are fitted within a hollowed-out portion of the ''channel 38for pivoting and sliding movement. In the carriage open position shownin FIGURE 4 and in FIGURE 1, the ends of the members 68 and 72 projectoutwardly from the receiver. In the closed position, shown in FIGURE 5and in FIGURE 2, these members reside within the body of the channels.The upper member 68 is tied to the corresponding left-handed member by acrossbar 70 which is sized to accommodate the hooks of the front board.The lower member 72 includes a downward projection 72a defining a faceagainst which the pin 24 rests when the front board is hung on 70 in itsinitial position before carriage closure. The forward face of projection72a extends upwardly into a slot 72b which accommodates the pin 24 onthe front board in its movement under force of the camming operationpreviously described. The member 72 further includes a slot 720 whichextends at a slight angle across the length axis of the member and whichhas a slight recess 72d at each end operable to hold the carriage inagainst accidental displacement. The slot 720 and recesses 72d definesurfaces for engagement with a pin 62 anchored to the Wall of channel38. Pin 62 has a roller surface but is relatively fixed. Slightly abovethe slot 720 is a pin 72e which is fixed to the mem ber and projectsoutwardly to accommodate a spring 74 having its other end tied to a post66 fixed to the channel 38. The post 66 projects through a slot 72e inmember 72 which is made to engage the post on the sides but is relievedin a vertical sense to permit the member 72 to slide along 66 as itpivots relative to fixed pin 62.

Above the slot 720 is a further slot 72 through which is fitted a pin68a extending from and fixed to member 68. The slot 72 is relieved in avertical sense to permit sliding relative to pin 68a which ties 68 and72 together. Slightly above 68a there is a slot 6811 which is in Widthsuch as to engage the surfaces of a pin 64 fixed to channel 38 and inlength such as to permit pivoting of the member 68 about 64. Above 68bis a still further slot 680 which opens to the rear of member 68 andextends at an angle across the length axis thereof to engage a fixed pin60 which also includes a roller surface.

The two members 68 and 72 are thus pivotally tied together by pin 68aand slot 72 at ends thereof. They are further tied for pivotal movementby fixed pins 64 and 66 and by pins 60 and 62, relative to slot surfacesin the members. The lower slot 720 is confined on either end and limitsthe movement of the two members to the outward position as shown inFIGURE 4 and to the inward position shown in FIGURE 5. The spring 74being tied to channel 38 through the pin 66 exerts a pulling force upon72e and thus on 72. This operates in a vertical sense to hold thetransport carriage outwardly in FIGURE 4 and in FIGURE 5 it operates tohold the assembly inwardly by holding 72d in engagement with 62.

With the carriage open the front board 12 is first positioned as shownin FIGURE 4 and then pushed inwardly (to the left) at the bottom, thuscausing 24 to push against 72a, which causes 72 to pivot about 66 with62 sliding within slot 72c. This in turn operates through 727 to force68a outwardly (to the right) which causes 68 to pivot about 64 inwardlywith pin 60 engaging the surface of slot 68c. This movement continuesuntil 62 bottoms in 72d as indicated in FIGURE 5 with the carriage inthe closed position. Thereafter operation of the handle 40 drives thefront board 12 from the position shown as B in FIGURE 5 to the positionC and finally to the position D; the carriage being relativelyunaffected thereby.

As one point, a force upon the top of the carriage in the position ofFIGURE 4 will not operate to close the carriage. This is caused by 74holding 72 upwardly. As another point, operation of the cammingmechanism with the transport carriage in the position shown in FIGURE 4will not result in any movement of the front board which is then notengaged in 52. These two features serve to prevent accidental contactordamage. With the carria'ge in the position of FIGURE 5 and with thecamming mechanism operated and handle 40 in the vertical position, thefront board cannot be removed from the carriage nor can the carriage beopened due to the interference of surface 72b with pin 24.

The separation of linkage between the transport carriage and the cammingmechanism tends to alleviate tolerance problems with such, since the twoare not directly connected together but rather linked through a seriesof parallel engagements with the front board.

The final alignment of the front board 12 is accomplished as heretoforedescribed by the engagement of complementary surfaces which line up thefront board as the carriage is forced closed. This centering isnecessary in order to assure that the large number of contactors in thefront board and receiver are at least in an approximate relativeposition for closure. The contactors are so designed as to provide adegree of self-centering of both inner and outer contact paths.Referring now to FIGURE '6 there is shown a segment of the panel 14 ofthe front board and of the panel 32 of the receiver with the shieldingand latching contactor structures 100 and 130 positioned therein andprepared to receive the respective plug contactors and 110. Furtherdetails of these structures are shown in FIGURES 7, 8 and 9. The plugcontactor 80 for the front board is shown terminated to a coaxial cable82 comprised of a center conductor 82a, surrounded by an insulating anddielectric sheath 821;, an outer conductor or braid 82c and an outerprotective sheath 82d. As indicated in FIGURES 1 and 2, the plugcontactor 80 is duplicated on the other end of cable 82 to form apatchcord which may be changed with respect to the apertures 16 of thefront board to effect a change in switching or programming function inthe assembly.

The plug 80 includes a cylindrical center contact member 84 which has aforward contact portion 84a and a rear portion 84b adapted to receivethe center conductor 82a of the cable and be terminated thereto by acrimp applied to 84 near the center of the enlarged portion as shown bythe indentation therein. Surrounding 84 is a dielectric sleeve 86 whichprotrudes slightly at the forward end as at 86a, from an outerconductive sleeve 88 and extends rearwardly to cover over and isolatemember 84. The outer sleeve 88 has a cylindrical forward portion 88a anda cylindrical rearward portion 88b separated by a cylindrical portion88c of reduced diameter. The member 88 is indented as by dimpling in theregion of 880 to lock the member to the insulating sheath 86. The rearpart of 88 shown as 88d extends over and houses the insulating sheath82b of the cable. The outer conductor 820 is carried over this portionand terminated thereto. by means of a ferrule shown as 90, which iscrimped inwardly. The material of 88 is hard relative to the material ofthe ferrule which is preferably of a malleable material such as softcopper. Over the rear of 80 is provided a boot shown as 92, whichextends forwardly over ferrule 90 and rearwardly over the cable toprovide a grip for insertion and withdrawal of the contactor from thefront board. As described then, the contactor 80 is a coaxial 7 andshielded plug which extends the inner and outer conductive paths of thecoaxial cable into and through the front board.

In each of the apertures 16 of the front board there is provided ashielding and latching member shown as 100. The forward portion of 100shown as 10011 is box-like with the upper portion relieved to form achannel substantially surrounding the contactor 80 and portions of thecontactor member of the receiver. Member 100 tapers inwardly as at 1001;to a reduced diameter of a size to be plugged into an aperture 16 of theboard 14. At this transition portion are two upstanding cars 1000, whichproject above the outer diameter of the contactor 80 when insertedwithin 100 in the manner shown in FIG- URES 7, 8 and 9. To the rear ofcars 100a is a barrel portion 10011 which extends through 16 andincludes spaced tangs struck out as at 1002 and 100 to support and lock100 within the board H. The member 100 is poked into the aperture fromthe right side until these tangs engage the opposing surfaces of theboard. The upper portion of the barrel portion 100@ includes a singlecantilevered spring 100g which has its interior end formed as at 10011and positioned to engage the rear of portion 88a, to latch the contactor80 within 100. The inner surface of 10011 is slightly rounded to permitcontactor 80 to be withdrawn without requiring a tool. The innerdiameter of 100 is sized to loosely support the body of 80 except forthe portion wherein 10011 engages 88a to connect 100 to the cable outerconductor or shielding. As will be discerned from FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 6,the members 100 are all positioned with the channel portion in an upwardsense.

The contactor assembly for the receiver is as shown in FIGURES 6, 7, 8and 9 comprised of a contactor plug 110 terminated to a coaxial cable82, similar in construction to the cable 82 heretofore described and ashielding and locking member 130. The other end of the cable terminatedto 110 is connected through a coaxial fitting to or from the electricaland/or electronic equipment served by the invention assembly. Plug 110includes a cylindrical conductive contact member 112 having a contactportion 112a projecting forwardly of the contactor body and a rearportion 1121) which is hollow to receive and be crimped to the centerconductor of the coaxial cable. Surrounding 112 is a dielectric andinsulating sleeve 114 which extends along most of the length of 112except for the contact portion 112a. Surrounding all but the end portionof sleeve 114 is an outer metallic sleeve 116 apertured as at 11612 topermit the entry of crimping dies to crimp the center contact member 112to the cable center conductor. A C-clip 118 is provided which snaps overthe outside of 116. The clip includes indentations as at 118a, which fitinto the recesses 116a to hold the clip in position and seal theapertures of 116 against RFI. The forward portion of 116 is rounded asat 116b to define a contact surface for engagement with 130 to extendthe outer conductive path of the cable. To the rear of 116b, the member116 is enlarged and rounded to provide support for the contactor in theshielding and contact structure 130 affixed in board 32. The rearportion of 116, shown as 1160, is adapted to be fitted beneath the cablebraid such that an outer ferrule shown as 120 may be positionedthereover and crimped inwardly to terminate 116 to the cable outerconductor. The contactor 110 thus is a plug type contactor similar to 80but adapted for plug-in engagement in the receiver. The receivershielding structure 130 includes a center member 132 supported by aninsulating insert 134 within an outer conductive brarel and shieldingmember 136. The center member 132 includes a pair of spring arms 132aextending forwardly and terminated in a pair of opposing ears 13212which each include a forward and slanted surface tending to guide thecenter contact member of 80 inwardly for post patching; i.e. insertionof 80 while the front board is cammed upwardly for switch closure. Thisforward surface is shown as 1320 on the left-hand member in FIGURE 6.There is a further and downwardly directed surface 13211 which flaresoutwardly to guide the center contact portion 82a in between the cars.In each car there is a vertically disposed indentation as best shown inFIGURE 7 as 132e, which operates as the actual point of contact forengagement with the center conductive member of 80. At the opposite endof 132 are further spring members 132) which are disposed to receive andcontact the center conductive member of 110. The ends 132 and 132g areflared out to guide the center contact portion 112a into engagement with132. Toward the center of 132 is a downwardly projecting flange 1321'which engages the material of insert 134 to latch the member 132 againstforward axial movement out of 136. A portion 132 engages the forwardpart of the insert material to latch 132 against inward axial movement.The portions 132i and 132 are positioned relative to each other so thatthe member 132 can be axially inserted from left to right within thebore of 134. The insert 134 is itself staked to the outer portion byreason of an offset in the upper part thereof shown as 13411, which isengaged by an inwardly oriented flange shown as 136a and by anindentation in the wall of 136 forwardly thereof.

The member 136 includes a rear barrel portion shown as 13611 whichcontains an inner bore adapted to receive and engage the forwardcylindrical portion of as shown in FIGURE 7. A pair of spring members1360 are provided which snap into a slot or relief in the forwardportion of 110 to latch the contactor into position. The spring members1360 are rounded at the ends thereof to permit a forced withdrawal ofthe contactor from the shield structure but to prevent accidentaldisplacement. A pair of outwardly disposed tabs 1361i and 136a areprovided to hold within the aperture 34 of board 32. The cylindricalportion of 130 extends up to and slightly beyond the forward face of theboard to terminate in a forwardly extending spring portion 136 which isflat and extends out over the contact arms 132. When the front board ispositioned within the receiver the portion 136 overlies the member 100to the extent shown in FIGURES 7, 8 and 9. 0n the outer end of 1361there is provided a pair of wings shown as 136g. In the center of theWings 132;; is a downwardly projecting loop portion 13611, as best shownin FIGURES 7, 8 and 9. Each of the wings 136g includes an insulating pad136i, which is in depth as indicated in FIGURES 7, 8 and 9.

When there is a patchcord fitted within the front board, as shown inFIGURE 7, and the camming operation is accomplished, the loop portion13611 contacts the forward outside conductive portion 881: of the plugcontactor 80 to terminate the outer coaxial path or shielding of thecontactor of the receiver to that of the front board. This is shown inFIGURE 8. If there is no contactor in the front board, closure willresult in disposition of the components as shown in FIGURE 9, whereinthe insulating pads will rest on the upstanding cars 1000 and contactbetween the shield structures of the front board and receiver will beprevented. The loop portion 13611 is rounded in a sense to functionduring post-patching.

In closure then with or without contactors in the front board the outercontact shielding structure 130 of the receiver forms a defiectablemember not readily overstressed by slight differences in tolerances ofthe parts or in the camming travel. It is made in widths with respect tothe wings 136g sufficient to accommodate slight differences intolerances on a center-to-center basis. The inner structures are sodesigned to permit deviations in exact placement of the contactorconductive portions to one side or the other, up, down, in or out withan adequate area of contact being maintained and with an adequateinsulation against contact maintained where such is not desired.

Having now described our invention in a mode in tended to enable itspractice we claim it through the appended claims:

What is claimed is:

1. In a contactor system, first and second coaxial contactor assembliesa plug and receptacle for each assembly, each plug having inner andouter conductive portions and each receptacle including means to receiveand latch a plug therein, means for mounting said first and secondassemblies axially parallel and in overlying relationship and means fordriving said first and second assemblies together and apart to make orbreak contact, the receptacles of the plugs including oppositelyoriented portions adapted to substantially surround and shield the innerconductive paths of the ends of both of the plugs when said assembliesare together, one of said receptacles including a portion flexible inthe sense of movement of said assemblies together and apart andincluding an insulating insert carrying a spring contact member adaptedto engage and common the inner conductive portions of the plugs duringsaid movement of the assemblies together.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the said spring contact member includesat each end a pair of spring arms shaped at the ends thereof to receiveand guide the inner conductive path of a plug inserted axially of saidcontact member.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein one of the pair of arms includesprojections flaring outwardly of said arms to receive and guide a plugconductive path inwardly of said arms when inserted substantially atright angles thereto and a pair of projections positioned to receive andguide a conductive path inserted axially of said contact member.

4. In a multiple switch assembly, a receiver carrying spring contactorsadapted'to be connected to and from electrical circuits to be switched,a front board carrying patchcord contactors and means for supportingsaid front board in facing relationship to said receiver, further meansfor driving said front board in parallel movement relative to saidreceiver to effect closure of the receiver contactors and the patchcordcontactors to switch said circuits, the said further means beingcomprised of a pair of hook members slidingly disposed one on each sideof the receiver in engagement with pin members rigidly secured to thesides of the front board in conjunction with camming means disposed toengage and drive said hook members to effect said movement.

5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein said first mentioned means iscomprised of a first and second means disposed on the sides of saidreceiver secured for pivotal movement to extend outwardly from the topand bottom of the receiver, said first means extending out from the saidmechanism at the top being adapted to be engaged by members on the topof the front board to support the front board in engagement with thesecond means at the bottom of the board, said means then being pivotableinward of said receiver to drive said front board therewithin in aposition wherein said contactors are out of engagement but in overlyingrelationship and said pin members are fitted within the said pair ofhook members.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the contactors of the receiver and ofthe front board are each comprised of inner and outer conductive pathsinsulated each from the other end and the said contactors are positionedin the receiver and front board whereby upon movement of closure theinner paths of a receiver contactor and a front board contactor areelectrically commoned and the outer paths of the same contactors areelectrically commoned.

7. In a multiple switch device a receiver carrying a plurality ofcoaxial contactor assemblies each including a pair of separate andisolated contact spring members adapted to be connected to the inner andouter paths of coaxial conductors leading to equipment served by thedevice, a front board carrying a plurality of coaxial contactorassemblies each including a shielding structure extending from the innerface thereof and means adapted to receive and retain a contactor plugpositioned within said shielding structure, means to support and drivesaid front board in movement relative to said receiver to effectengagement of the receiver and front board contactor assemblies toprovide a switching operation, a portion of the contact spring membersof a given receiver contactor assembly and a portion of a correspondingfront board contactor assembly cooperating upon movement to provide anelectrical connection of the coaxial paths of said contactor assembliesand operating in the event that there is no contactor plug within agiven front board contactor assembly to preclude the electricalconnection between the given receiver and front board contactorassemblies.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the said portions of the receivercontact spring members include a spring section adapted to be deflectedin the sense of movement for engagement of the contactors to precludeoverstress of the contactor assemblies.

9. In a multiple switch device first and second sets of contactorassemblies and means for mounting said assemblies in facing relationshipand moving said assemblies into and out of positions of contactengagement to provide a switching function, each said contactor assemblyincluding a receptacle and a plug member, the receptacle of the firstsaid assembly extending over the plug and receptacle of the second saidassembly and including means thereon for holding the receptaclesinsulated from each other when the plug of the second contactor assemblyis withdrawn from its receptacle and for causing said receptacles andportions of the contactor plugs to be electrically commoned when thesecond assembly plug is inserted in its receptacle and said assembliesare in a position of contact engagement.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the said means of the receptacle ofthe first assembly comprises a flexible conductive strip capable ofbeing easily deflected in the sense of movement of said assemblies intoand out of positions of engagement.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein the said means of the receptacle ofthe first assembly is comprised of a flexible conductive strip having atab extending downwardly in alignment to engage the plug of the secondassembly for contact therewith and at least one ear having an insulatingportion disposed to one side of said tab and of a lesser depth to engagethe edge of the second assembly receptacle in the event the plug of thesecond assembly is withdrawn.

12. In a contact system for connecting coaxial signal paths, first andsecond sets of contactor assemblies, each assembly including a coaxialplug having inner and outer conductive portions insulated from eachother and each assembly including a conductive receptacle adapted toreceive the assembly plug and be latched thereto by latching meanselectrically connecting the outer conductive portion of a plug to thereceptacle of a given assembly, means for mounting said sets ofcontactor assemblies in facing relationship with portions of thereceptacles of one assembly overlying portions of the receptacle of theother assembly for a major portion of the receptacle length and meansfor driving said sets of contactor assemblies into and out ofengagement, means affixed to one of said assemblies to common the centerconductive portions of the plugs of each set and insulate such portionsfrom the receptacles within the volume defined by the receptacles of agiven set of contactor assemblies, the said portions of the receptaclesof said one assembly being flexible in the sense of movement of saidcontactor assemblies into and out of engagement.

13. In a contact system for connecting coaxial signal paths first andsecond contactor assemblies each including a receptacle and a contactorplug with means to latch said plug in said receptacle, each saidreceptacle having a portion extending outwardly of the end of said plugand in spaced relationship thereto, each said plug including an outerconductive portion surrounding and insulated from an inner conductiveportion which extends axially therefrom, a portion of the secondassembly receptacle extending outwardly of its plug including a flatspring carrying a tab to contact the outer conductive portion of theplug of the first contactor assembly, an insulating insert in thereceptacle of the second contactor assembly and a contact spring carriedin said insert, one end of said contact spring having portions toreceive the center conductive portion of the plug of the first contactorassembly and the other end including portions to receive the plug of thesecond contactor assembly and means for mounting said assemblies inoverlying relationship and for driving said assemblies together andapart for connecting and disconnecting the inner and outer conductiveportions of said plugs.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1946 Lake 339-18 X 3/1960 Sitz33918 X 5/1962 Noschese 339-177 X 10/1965 Mitchell et a1 33945 X 12/1965Witherspoon et al. 339-45 X 2/1966 OKeefe et a1 339177 FOREIGN PATENTS5/ 1947 France.

7/ 1934 Germany.

MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner. D P. A. CLIFFORD, AssistantExaminer.

1. IN A CONTACTOR SYSTEM, FIRST AND SECOND COAXIAL CONTACTOR ASSEMBLIESA PLUG AND RECEPTACLE FOR EACH ASSEMBLY, EACH PLUG HAVING INNER ANDOUTER CONDUCTIVE PORTIONS AND EACH RECEPTACLE INCLUDING MEANS TO RECEIVEAND LATCH A PLUG THEREIN, MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID FIRST AND SECONDASSEMBLIES AXIALLY PARALLEL AND IN OVERLYING RELATIONSHIP AND MEANS FORDRIVING SAID FIRST AND SECOND ASSEMBLIES TOGETHER AND APART TO MAKE ORBREAK CONTACT, THE RECEPTACLES OF THE PLUGS INCLUDING OPPOSITELYORIENTED PORTIONS ADAPTED TO SUBSTANTIALLY SURROUND AND SHIELD THE INNERCONDUCTIVE PATHS OF THE ENDS OF BOTH OF THE PLUGS WHEN SAID ASSEMBLIESARE TOGETHER, ONE OF SAID RECEPTACLES INCLUDING A PORTION FLEXIBLE INTHE SENSE OF MOVEMENT OF SAID ASSEMBLIES TOGETHER AND APART ANDINCLUDING AN INSULATING INSERT CARRYING A SPRING CONTACT MEMBER ADAPTEDTO ENGAGE AND COMMON THE INNER CONDUCTIVE PORTIONS OF THE PLUGS DURINGSAID MOVEMENT OF THE ASSEMBLIES TOGETHER.